Angelilli appears in the comic role of the nurse in a series of online video clips. The tomcat condoms? They actually exist, but they’re just a humorous way of getting a serious message out.

The series of Nurse Nancy clips is now available via three social media outlets. The purpose is to spread the word about birth control for pets.

“We just felt that we needed something that was funny, but still got the point across that the only way to prevent unwanted pet pregnancies and help fight the pet overpopulation problem was through spaying and neutering,” says Angelilli.

The animal welfare executive is no stranger to comic acting

“I’ve been studying/performing improv for years — here and in Philadelphia, which is where I’m from,” she says.

Nevertheless, playing Nurse Nancy, a parody of vintage high-school sex-ed films, was something different for her.

“I do unscripted acting, so this was a bit of a challenge!,” Angelilli says.

The Nurse Nancy campaign is geared toward the 18-34 demographic because, according to PetSmart Charities and their national market research study, that is the group most likely to NOT have their pet fixed.

So to reach this age group, Nurse Nancy uses Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to drive viewers to a website that has a ready list of Front Range clinics that perform spays and neuters.

The program is the brainchild of The Feline Fix and the Animal Assistance Foundation[4] (AAF), a Denver grant and research organization dedicated to improving animal welfare in Colorado.

“It was initiated by me and by AAF,” Angelilli says. “Once we saw the PetSmart Charities report, we started discussing the demographic and thought that social media was the best way to go.

“AAF funded it with the intention of driving traffic to low-cost spay/neuter clinics along the Front Range,” Angelilli says.

“By going to the Nurse Nancy website, www.nursenancypresents.com[5], viewers can sign up online for an appointment to have their pet spayed or neutered.”

How did the Nurse Nancy character come about?

‘”Well, the creative team wanted a ‘spokesperson’ that would be entertaining enough for people outside of the animal welfare industry to pass along to their friends via social media,” Angelilli says.

“The creative team thought it would be fun to spoof those sex ed videos that you’d watcih in school and then Nurse Nancy was born,” she says. “I came in late to a creative meeting and was greeted with ‘Look, here comes Nurse Nancy now.’ That’s how I landed the acting gig. That will teach me to be on time!”

Nurse Nancy is going to be making public appearances this month with her own brand of Nurse Nancy cat condoms.

“Over the years, public awareness campaigns for spay/neuter have made great progress in reducing pet overpopulation,” says Dr. Angelina Piccoli, clinic director.

“Thirty years ago, 10 percent of cats and dogs living in the United States were spayed or neutered; today, that number is over 60 percent,” Piccoli adds.

“As spay/neuter rates have increased, the shelter death toll has steadily dropped. In 1970, more than 20 million cats and dogs were euthanized; today, that number is under 4 million. But we can do more.”

SpayToday is a private, nonprofit corporation working toward that goal, Piccoli says.

“As the Denver Metro area’s only HQHVSN (High Quality High Volume Spay Neuter Clinic) offering affordable spay/neuter surgeries for cats, dogs and rabbits, we are helping to prevent thousands of unplanned litters and to save thousands of cats, dogs, kittens, puppies and rabbits from being put to death simply because shelters have no room and there are not enough homes for them all,” she adds.

Adoption discounts – The Dumb Friends League[9] continues its year-long centennial celebration with an adoption special for all felines and canines. Through October 31, adoption fees will be $100 off for all adult cats, adult dogs, puppies and kittens at both shelter locations. With this adoption discount, pet lovers can adopt adult cats and some adult dogs at no cost. Information: ddfl.org [10]or (303) 751-5772 .

Black-tie event - Maxfund[11] will hold its largest annual black-tie fundraiser, Puttin’ on the Max, Viva Paws Vegas, on Saturday, Oct. 16, from 5:30-10 p,m. at The Brown Palace Hotel in Denver. Tickets are $100 and include a reception, sit-down dinner, and entertainment. Information: www.maxfund.org[12]

Photos of Fido – Foothills Animal Center[13] in Golden is holding its 1st Annual Van Photo Contest. The two winning photos will be featured on the side of the Foothills Animal Shelter van for one year. Submit a high resolution color photograph of your pet tofascontest@fas4pets.org.[14]. Submit one photo per pet; limit of two photos per household. Entry deadline is Oct. 13.

Name your price – The Larimer Humane Society[15] is re-instating its “Name Your Price” Adoption Promotion. The promotion, which extends through close of business Monday, Oct. 4, allows potential adopters to name their price on all dogs and cats age one year and over. Information: Larimerhumane.org[16].

Animal heroes - Colorado’s Animal Heroes Awards, presented by the Colorado Veterinary Medical Foundation[19], recognizes animal heroes as well as people who have profoundly helped make Colorado a better place for animals and people. The public is invited to celebrate the heroes at a free ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. at Turnhalle in the Tivoli Center at Auraria Campus.
Tickets are complimentary. Contact Brittney Parent-Williams at 303.539.7638 or BrittneyParent-Williams@CVMF.org [20]for more information and to RSVP.